Dysbacteriosis. Symptoms, signs, diagnosis and treatment. How to treat intestinal dysbiosis in adults What causes intestinal dysbiosis in adults

With intestinal dysbacteriosis, as statistics show, to one degree or another, at least once every adult has encountered. This deviation is characterized by an imbalance in the intestinal microflora, when the number of beneficial bacteria decreases, giving way to pathogenic ones. Since beneficial bacteria perform many important functions in the body (synthesize vitamins, break down dietary fiber), a decrease in their number in the intestine adversely affects the general condition of the body. Therefore, it is impossible to leave dysbacteriosis without treatment.

Dysbacteriosis can be caused by a variety of reasons: from pathological conditions in the digestive organs to malnutrition and lifestyle.

Most often, dysbacteriosis develops as a result of taking antibiotics. Such aggressive drugs are effective not only against infections, but also against bifidus and lactobacilli in the intestine. Therefore, long-term use, increased dosages, the use of low-quality drugs always lead to dysbacteriosis.

IMPORTANT! Prolonged uncontrolled use of antibiotics can also lead to the emergence of therapy-resistant strains of bacteria. This means that it will be extremely difficult to get rid of pathogenic microflora in the future.

Among the main symptoms of dysbacteriosis:

• loss of appetite;
• pain in the abdomen;
• nausea, vomiting;
• flatulence;
• the presence of constipation or diarrhea with their periodic alternation;
• increased fatigue, feeling of weakness, headache, pain in the joints;
• a slight increase in temperature (up to 37.2 degrees).

In general, the state of health with dysbacteriosis worsens, immunity falls, and the necessary trace elements and vitamins are no longer synthesized and absorbed correctly. Therefore, it is necessary to immediately begin treatment as soon as the doctor makes an accurate diagnosis.

Correction of errors in nutrition

It is always worth starting treatment with the establishment of a diet. The intestinal microflora in many cases is able to recover on its own over time, but it needs help. Whichever option is chosen to get rid of dysbacteriosis, without following the rules of a healthy diet, treatment will be ineffective.

To begin with, starvation and strict restrictive diets should be excluded, because the body during dysbacteriosis already suffers from a lack of vitamins.

At the same time, you should remove from the daily diet:

• fatty meat and fish;
• fried and spicy;
• smoked meats and canned food;
• baking, sweets, white bread;
• eggs in the form of fried omelets and scrambled eggs, as well as hard-boiled ones;
• vegetables that aggressively affect the gastrointestinal tract (radish, raw onions and garlic (with the exception of swallowing a whole clove), sorrel);
• mayonnaise and sour sauces (ketchup);
• alcohol, carbonated drinks.

The above products have an irritating effect on the already damaged intestinal mucosa, and also feed the pathogenic microflora that has settled in the intestines.

The basic principles of proper nutrition for dysbacteriosis:

• regular meals at the same time;
• eating warm food (within 25-40 degrees) and avoiding too cold or hot food;
• avoidance of aggressive and spicy foods;
• thorough chewing of food;
• frequent eating (every two and a half hours) and in small portions;
• drink plenty of water, but not with meals (so as not to interfere with the digestion of food).

Compliance with these simple rules is the key to the speedy and complete elimination of dysbacteriosis, as well as the prevention of its relapse.

Medical therapy

In most cases, tablets and powders cannot be dispensed with. The goal of drug therapy for dysbacteriosis is the restoration of healthy microflora, the removal of symptoms of pathology. In complex treatment, several groups of medications are used, each of which has its own area of ​​responsibility.

These include:

• prebiotics;
• probiotics;
• intestinal antiseptics;
• bacteriophages.

To eliminate symptoms such as diarrhea and constipation, additionally used antidiarrheal and laxatives drugs, as well antispasmodics and choleretic agents.

Since, with a deficiency in the intestines of beneficial microflora, the natural process of absorption of vitamins is disrupted, various supplements are additionally prescribed to prevent beriberi. multivitamin complexes.

IMPORTANT! Only a doctor can prescribe medications, determine their dosage and duration of administration. Self-medication threatens with the occurrence of complications.

Prebiotics

The first group of drugs used in the treatment is prebiotics. These substances are not absorbed, but suppress the activity of pathogenic microflora, stimulate the development of useful ones, and also strengthen the immune system. In mild forms of dysbacteriosis, prebiotics alone are enough for a quick and complete cure. This group of drugs includes Duphalac, Lactusan. There are also prebiotics in combination with enterosorbents (for example, Lactofiltrum), helping to bind and remove toxins from the body.

1. Duphalac- a syrup that helps the beneficial bacteria of the intestinal microflora grow and strengthen, and at the same time inhibits the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. Also, the tool helps to improve peristalsis, so it will help to quickly empty the intestines with dysbacteriosis, which is accompanied by constipation. The dosage and frequency of administration are selected by the doctor individually in each case.
2. Lactofiltrum- a tablet preparation that helps to normalize the flora, removing toxins and toxins from the body along the way. Take three tablets one hour before meals three times a day.

Probiotics

Probiotics, containing live bacteria in their composition, effectively fight the reproduction and growth of pathogenic microflora. These drugs may be:

• monocomponent ( Lactobacterin, Bifidumbacterin);
• polycomponent ( Bifiform);
• combined ( Bificol, Linex);
• antagonists ( Baktisporin);
• synbiotics ( Bifiliz, Bilactin).

IMPORTANT! The disadvantage of treatment with probiotics is often their low efficiency, since the bacteria they contain are alien to the human body, and therefore are rejected in many cases.

1. Lactobacterin for oral administration is available in the form of tablets and suspensions (powder). The lactobacilli contained in it improve metabolic processes, strengthen immunity and, of course, exterminate pathogenic bacteria. With dysbacteriosis, the drug is taken twice a day about an hour before meals, washed down with milk. The acceptance period is one month.
2. Bilactin presented in the form of capsules. This drug is a dietary supplement that enriches the diet with probiotic enterococci. Take one capsule up to three times daily with meals.

Antiseptics

Intestinal antiseptics - type of antibiotics, so these drugs are used in reduced dosages and with great care. Their task is to quickly suppress the reproduction of pathogenic flora. These include Enterofuril, Intetrix.

1. Enterofuril causes the death of pathogenic bacteria. Available in the form of a finished suspension and in encapsulated form. Effective for diarrhea. The dosage is prescribed by the doctor, but it does not exceed 800 mg per day (four measuring spoons or four capsules).
2. Intetrix has antimicrobial and antifungal activity. Effectively destroys bacteria without harming the intestinal flora. Take one capsule in the morning and evening for 10 days.

bacteriophages

Bacteriophages are viruses that can multiply and destroy certain types of intestinal bacteria. Such drugs have powerful antibacterial activity and are safe for the body. Usually they complement the treatment with antiseptics.

1. Intesti bacteriophage It comes in the form of a solution that can be drunk or administered rectally. Effective against enterococci, dysentery bacteria, staphylococci, salmonella, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Take orally 40 ml one hour before meals four times a day for a week.
2. Streptococcal bacteriophage also presented as a solution. Destroys only the bacterium Streptococcus. Take an hour before meals, 30 ml three times a day. One dose can be replaced with an enema with 40 ml of the drug. The duration of treatment is chosen by the doctor, but usually it is no more than 20 days.

Natural analogues of drugs

To cure dysbacteriosis, avoiding taking a large amount of pharmacy medicines, you can resort to the use of natural sources of beneficial bacteria - familiar food.

Foods rich in prebiotics:

• fermented milk products (ryazhenka, kefir, cottage cheese);
• chicory (raw root);
• cereals, wheat bran;
• raw asparagus;
• dried apricots, prunes;
• fruits (apples, citruses, bananas);
• berries (strawberries, black and red currants, plums).

• flax seeds;
• corn;
• figs;
• grape;
• sauerkraut;
• onion;
• soft cheese, cottage cheese, ryazhenka.

Products- antiseptics:

• onion and garlic;
• cardamom;
• ginger root;
• dill and fennel (seeds and herbs);
• walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds;
• mountain ash, blueberries and other berries with a tart taste

Phytotherapy for dysbacteriosis

Traditional medicine offers many natural remedies to cure most known diseases, including dysbacteriosis. However, the treatment process usually requires patience and regularity, as natural remedies act very gently.

Phytotherapy- the basis of traditional medicine. There are healing herbs for dysbacteriosis that affect certain manifestations of the disease.

IMPORTANT! Treatment exclusively with herbs is possible only in case of mild dysbacteriosis. In other cases, folk methods are just an addition to the main treatment prescribed by a specialist.

Video - How to treat intestinal dysbiosis

Healing herbs for dysbacteriosis

Effect	Grass
Antiseptic and antibacterial	Alpine cladonia, bearded sleeper, moss reindeer moss, wild rose
Anti-inflammatory	Chamomile, calamus root, burdock seeds
Against flatulence and bloating	Peppermint, eucalyptus leaves, dill seeds
Enveloping (regenerate mucous)	Flax seeds, orchis spotted, marshmallow root
Painkillers	Chamomile, St. John's wort, lemon balm
Astringents (used for diarrhea)	Oak bark, erect cinquefoil, St. John's wort, bird cherry
Laxatives (used for constipation)	Flax seeds, dandelion, psyllium seeds, buckthorn bark, oregano, aloe

Herbs are used both separately and in collections in the form of infusions and decoctions.

IMPORTANT! Herbs are highly allergenic, so treatment should begin with minimal dosages. With a tendency to allergic reactions, it is better to completely abandon herbal medicine.

Video - How to treat dysbacteriosis folk remedies

Effective phytotherapeutic recipes for dysbacteriosis

Purpose	Dosages	Cooking method	How to use	Duration of treatment
Infusion from dysbacteriosis No. 1	A teaspoon of chamomile, sage and St. John's wort herbs, 200 ml of boiling water	Brew the grass in a thermos with boiling water, leave for an hour, then strain	Dilute half a glass of infusion with half a glass of warm water, drink twice a day an hour after meals	Two weeks
Infusion from dysbacteriosis No. 2	A tablespoon of rose hips and lemon balm, a liter of boiling water	Pour boiling water over herbs in a thermos, leave for 11-13 hours, strain	Consume warm three to four times a day about an hour before meals	Two weeks
Infusion from dysbacteriosis No. 3	A tablespoon of flaxseeds and St. John's wort, half a liter of boiling water	Grind the seeds, put together with lemon balm in a thermos, brew with boiling water. Strain after two hours	Drink a warm infusion of half a glass up to four times a day about an hour before meals	Month
Infusion against flatulence	A teaspoon of dill and flax seeds, a glass of boiling water	Grind the seeds in a coffee grinder, put in earthenware or enameled dishes, pour boiling water, close the lid. Strain after an hour	Drink two tablespoons of infusion 25-35 minutes before each meal	Up to one month
Remedy for flatulence	teaspoon dill seed, teaspoon olive oil	Grind dill seeds in a coffee grinder, mix with oil	Take a spoonful of tea mixture 20 minutes before each meal	Up to two weeks
Decoction for dysbacteriosis (with diarrhea)	Half a tablespoon of oak bark and a tablespoon of St. John's wort, a liter of water	Place the grass in an enamel pot, pour water. Bringing to a boil, immediately remove from heat, wrap with a towel, leave for an hour, then strain	Take one glass of decoction at room temperature twice a day for an hour and a half before meals	Three to five days
Decoction of dysbacteriosis (with constipation)	Half a tablespoon of chamomile and a tablespoon of dandelion officinalis, a liter of water	Place the raw materials in a saucepan, pour water over it, let it boil over low heat for five minutes. After leaving for half an hour to brew, strain	Take a warm decoction in a glass three times a day for an hour and a half before meals	A week

Other folk remedies to get rid of dysbacteriosis

Also, with dysbacteriosis, simple dairy milk is excellent. serum. To obtain it, a liter of kefir is heated in a saucepan over low heat until it separates. Then the pan is removed from the heat and left to stand for 10-15 minutes, and then the contents are filtered through gauze or a colander. The whey will drain, and the cottage cheese will remain in a colander. The resulting cottage cheese can be eaten, and the whey can be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach, one glass in a warm form. The result of the treatment will be a gradual normalization of the microflora, the elimination of symptoms of dysbacteriosis and an improvement in the general condition of the body.

Another effective tool Bee Honey. It combines anti-inflammatory, antibacterial activity, regenerating properties, and is also endowed with a huge amount of useful trace elements. The value of honey is its ability to simultaneously eliminate pathogenic microflora and nourish the beneficial one.

The simplest honey recipe is to dissolve a teaspoon of honey in a glass of warm water and drink it immediately. It should be taken twice daily 25-35 minutes before meals.

IMPORTANT! Treatment with honey is contraindicated in the presence of an allergy to bee products.

natural antibiotic garlic also showed itself well in the treatment of dysbacteriosis. The phytoncides contained in it have powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity, leaving no chance for pathogenic microorganisms.

It is enough to swallow one medium-sized clove of garlic a day, washing it down with a glass of kefir or fermented baked milk.

Important! Garlic is an aggressive remedy, and therefore it is contraindicated for people suffering from a stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer, or having erosion on the gastric or intestinal mucosa.

To get rid of dysbacteriosis and prevent further relapses, it is most effective to use an integrated approach. The combination of medicines prescribed by a doctor, traditional medicine, a balanced diet will help to quickly establish metabolic processes and forget about the discomfort caused by dysbacteriosis. read on our website.

Thanks

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!

Symptoms and signs of dysbacteriosis

It is important to note that dysbacteriosis does not have any characteristic combination of possible symptoms. In other words, in two patients with this pathology, the manifestations of the disease may be dissimilar. This is due to differences in the composition of the intestinal microflora in each person, a different state of the immune system, and different dominant pathogens.

If we talk in general about the manifestations of dysbacteriosis, then in most patients its symptoms are very mild, and many do not have any manifestations of the disease or complaints at all. Asymptomatic course of dysbacteriosis is very common. In these cases, pathology can only be detected using bacteriological methods. However, in the case of an asymptomatic course, the harm to the body is minimal, and the microflora most often recovers on its own over time. Severe disorders in patients are not so common. Usually these are patients with concomitant anatomical anomalies, chronic diseases, pronounced weakening of the immune system. In a severe course of the disease, various disorders and complications that threaten the patient's health are possible.

In patients with intestinal dysbiosis, the following symptoms are most common:

• Chair disorders. Stool disorders in dysbacteriosis are one of the most common and characteristic symptoms. They may be of a different nature and will be considered separately.
• Flatulence. Flatulence is called increased gas formation, which leads to the frequent emission of gases and bloating. Against the background of flatulence, the patient may experience dull pain due to stretching of the intestinal walls. The reason for the appearance of this symptom is the predominance of bacteria in the microflora that cause decay and fermentation. Instead of the normal breakdown of food, it is fermented, during which a lot of gas is released. It accumulates in the intestinal loops and gradually comes out naturally. In patients on a diet less meat, carbonated drinks, beer and kvass), flatulence is less pronounced.
• Stomach ache. Pain in the abdomen with dysbacteriosis can appear immediately for several reasons. Firstly, this is the flatulence and stretching of the walls mentioned above. Secondly, it is a spasm of smooth muscles. It may be associated with the absorption of toxic decay products that are not released during normal microflora. Thirdly, the cause may be a primary or secondary inflammatory process. In primary dysbacteriosis, pain usually appears later than other symptoms, and in secondary it precedes them. The pain itself can also be associated with concomitant diseases that caused dysbacteriosis ( Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, etc.). In this case, there may be other symptoms that are not typical for dysbacteriosis. In general, abdominal pain does not appear in all patients with this disease. Most often it is absent, but many patients complain of discomfort. If pain appears, it is more often localized in the lower abdomen and is a pain or dull, "migrating" pain. In general, the nature of this symptom can be different and there is no obvious pattern.
• Slimming. Normal intestinal microflora takes an active part in the absorption of nutrients. In its absence, the so-called malabsorption syndrome develops ( malabsorption of nutrients in the intestine). Thus, the patient can eat well and follow various diets, but still the body will not have enough nutrients. With prolonged dysbacteriosis against the background of malabsorption syndrome, the patient begins to gradually lose weight. The more serious the violations, the faster this process will become noticeable. Since chronic protracted dysbacteriosis is quite rare, then weight loss in patients is not so common.
• Rumbling in the stomach. Rumbling in the abdomen is due to the accumulation of gases that do not find an outlet in a natural way, as well as contractions of the intestinal muscles. Gases accumulate due to the fermentation process against the background of dysbacteriosis, and hyperactive muscle work can be explained by the absorption of various bacterial toxins. This symptom is especially characteristic of dysbacteriosis in children. In older people, dysbacteriosis often occurs with signs of paralytic ileus ( bowel muscles do not contract). Then there can be no rumbling in the stomach.
• Bad breath. Many patients go to the dentist when they experience bad breath. A thorough examination of most of them reveals dysbacteriosis ( mouth or intestines). Intestinal dysbacteriosis can give an unpleasant odor due to the processes of decay and fermentation caused by atypical microflora. As a result, gases are formed, some of which rises up the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, belching with an unpleasant odor or taste, or just bad breath, is possible. This symptom can appear even with minor deviations in the composition of the microflora and may be the only manifestation of the disease.

Diarrhea and constipation in intestinal dysbacteriosis

With dysbacteriosis, diarrhea has the following features:

• stool frequency is usually about 4-6 times a day ( but more in severe cases);
• diarrhea is not always accompanied by pain and pain in the abdomen;
• in most cases, the stool is not completely liquid, but simply "not formed" ( mushy);
• often the stool has a sharp unpleasant odor - the result of the processes of decay and fermentation;
• untreated diarrhea can last weeks or even months ( in this case, the patient's condition gradually worsens due to progressive dehydration);
• episodes of diarrhea may be followed by occasional constipation.

Constipation in patients with dysbacteriosis is much less common than diarrhea. They are more typical for elderly patients, since dysbacteriosis often causes deterioration of motor skills in them ( cuts) intestines. As a result, food moves more slowly through the gastrointestinal tract, water from the feces is completely absorbed. Often there are also tenesmus - painful false urges.

Is there a temperature with dysbacteriosis?

The temperature is more typical for secondary dysbacteriosis, which appeared against the background of other diseases. For example, subfebrile indicators ( 37 - 37.5 degrees) may occur in Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Acute inflammatory processes in the abdominal cavity can cause a very significant increase in temperature ( 38 - 39 degrees), but they almost never occur in dysbacteriosis.

Chronic dysbacteriosis

The chronic course of dysbacteriosis is somewhat less common. At the same time, disturbances in the composition and quantity of microflora do not return to normal for a very long time ( months, years). As a rule, there are prerequisites that do not allow the normal microflora to recover. However, in most cases, this problem can still be solved with the right treatment.

In the chronic course of dysbacteriosis, it is important to pay attention to the presence of the following factors:

• weakened immunity;
• chronic inflammatory bowel disease;
• non-compliance with the prescribed diet;
• self-medication and unskilled treatment;
• the presence of a constant source of infection ( poor quality drinking water, etc.);
• possible bacterial resistance to prescribed antibiotics ( checked by antibiogram);
• the presence of intestinal tumors;
• chronic diseases of the liver, pancreas, stomach.

Dysbacteriosis in children

The development of microflora in the intestine is strongly influenced by several factors. First, it is the nature of the food ( mother's milk or formula). The intestine reacts differently to the food coming in the first year of life, and the limits of the norm for such children will be different. Secondly, age also affects. The older the child, the closer the composition of its microflora to the norm of an adult. Thirdly, it is necessary to take into account the possibility of anatomical and physiological abnormalities in young children, which often become the root cause of dysbacteriosis.

Normal composition of the intestinal microflora in children

The functions of normal microflora in a child's body are the same as in an adult, but play a more significant role. The child's body is growing, and it constantly needs nutrients. For example, adults have a certain "reserve" of vitamins, while young children usually do not. With dysbacteriosis in these cases, vitamin deficiency B1 - B6, B12, K, E is most noticeable. The risk of allergic reactions and various metabolic disorders also increases. As a result, the growth and development of the child is delayed. It is believed that the younger the child, the more noticeable will be the violations in dysbacteriosis.

In addition to the causes characteristic of adults, dysbacteriosis may appear in children in the following cases:

• weakened immunity due to colds, tonsillitis, etc. ( which is very common in children.);
• the presence of congenital malformations of the intestine ( diverticula, narrowing, etc.);
• the use of hormonal and antibacterial drugs without consulting a doctor;
• a tendency to food allergies or intolerance to certain substances ( gluten, lactose, etc.).

In children, the manifestations of dysbacteriosis depend on the severity of the disease:

• Compensated intestinal dysbacteriosis. The manifestations of the disease will be mild, and at first there may be no symptoms at all. In young children, rumbling in the stomach, loss of appetite, general anxiety, and poor sleep may appear. The chair usually becomes more frequent up to 2-3 times a day, but depending on the dominant pathogen, it can be 6-8 times a day ( during the reproduction of Klebsiella, the stool is also greenish in color). In the case of compensated dysbacteriosis, the symptoms of general intoxication are mild. Temperature, vomiting and severe pain may not be.
• Subcompensated intestinal dysbacteriosis. In addition to the above symptoms, signs of general intoxication and metabolic disorders may appear. The chair becomes more frequent up to 6 - 8 times a day, sometimes with blood impurities. Children who already know how to talk complain of severe abdominal pain. Blood test shows anemia ( low hemoglobin level), an elevated level of leukocytes ( left shift leukocytosis and eosinophilia), increased ESR ( sedimentation rate of erythrocytes) . All this indicates the reproduction of opportunistic bacteria. Sometimes they enter the bloodstream, forming infectious foci outside the intestines.
• Decompensated intestinal dysbacteriosis. The frequency of the chair is 8 - 10 times a day or more. It contains undigested food, mucus, blood impurities. There are marked deviations in the blood test. The child is pale, weak due to anemia. In a chronic course, the treatment of severe forms can take up to several months. During this period, there is a periodic increase in temperature ( up to 39 degrees or more in the presence of secondary infectious foci), clouding of consciousness, allergic rash, vomiting, severe headaches and abdominal pain, enlarged liver and spleen ( hepatosplenomegaly). In the absence of qualified treatment in young children, there is a serious risk to life.

Treatment of dysbacteriosis in children involves proper nutrition ( for each age and under different conditions it is different), which will be explained in detail by the attending physician. To normalize the number of bifidobacteria in children on artificial nutrition, mixtures of NAN 1 and 2 are recommended. For children older than six months - NAN 3 and kefir.

Antibiotics may be prescribed for persistent diarrhea metronidazole, vancomycin, etc.). Bacteriophages, enzyme therapy, vitamin therapy are used. Sometimes enterosorbents are required ( enterodez, enterosgel, etc.) to absorb toxins and reduce intoxication.

Also, with dysbacteriosis in children, the following eubiotics can be used:

• lacidophilus;

It is believed that treatment is not required at all in the following cases:

• when the number of E. coli with normal enzyme activity is more than 300 ml/g;
• number of E. coli ( lactose-negative and hemolytic) less than 10% of the total;
• an increase in the number of enterococci ( more than 125% of the norm) in the absence of symptoms and complaints;
• growth of cocci without hemolytic activity up to 125% of the norm in the absence of symptoms;
• an increase in the number of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.

For children, preventive treatment for dysbacteriosis is prescribed in the following cases:

• if the mother suffered from colpitis or other urinary tract infections during pregnancy and childbirth;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases in children ( amygdalitis, sinusitis, etc.);
• frequent allergies in a child;
• anemia;
• if the mother received corticosteroids during pregnancy;
• children born by caesarean section;
• children born prematurely.

Dysbacteriosis during pregnancy

In general, during pregnancy, there are the following prerequisites for the development of intestinal dysbacteriosis:

• Compression of intestinal loops. The growth of the fetus causes the intestinal loops to rise in the abdominal cavity, due to which its contents may be less likely to pass. As a result, atypical bacteria actively multiply in the formed "kinks".
• Diet change. Often, women during pregnancy try to change their diet in order to optimize the supply of nutrients to the growing fetus. However, the intestines may not be prepared for such changes. Unusually large amount of vegetable ( or, conversely, meat) food often causes dysbacteriosis.
• Hormonal changes. During pregnancy, a whole cascade of hormonal changes occurs, which, to one degree or another, affect almost all organs and systems of the body. For example, many women experience poor motor skills ( cuts) intestines, due to which its contents are worse excreted. As a result, pathogenic bacteria can develop in the intestines.
• Weakened immunity. During pregnancy, a woman's body is somewhat weakened. This is due not only to the increased intake of various nutrients ( they are consumed by both the mother's body and the fetus's body), but also by forced inactivity of the immune system. It weakens to allow the fetus to grow normally. This opens the way for pathogenic bacteria, including the prerequisites for their development in the intestines.

To prevent the occurrence of serious problems, pregnant women are advised to donate feces for microbiological examination prophylactically. Changes in the composition of the intestinal microflora will allow you to notice the developing dysbacteriosis in time. Prescribing antibiotics during this period is not recommended ( they can harm the fetus and do not always help with dysbacteriosis). Therefore, it is important to compensate for the disorders caused by the disease ( for example, taking certain vitamins) and stimulate the growth of normal microflora. In most cases, dysbacteriosis in pregnant women is not so difficult to cure. The main thing is to contact a specialist in a timely manner for diagnosis and prescribing the right treatment. It will be individual for each patient, depending on the symptoms and test results.

What is the danger of frequent dysbacteriosis?

Also, to obtain a reliable result, patients must adhere to the following rules:

• Diet. It is advisable to start following a diet even before passing feces for analysis. For 2 - 3 days exclude beer, kvass, alcohol, lactic acid products. All of them can temporarily affect the composition of the microflora, and the results will be unreliable.
• Early stage of the disease. It is advisable to take feces for analysis in the first days after the onset of symptoms of the disease, before starting any treatment. Once antibiotics are started, many sensitive bacteria will already die, and the number of microorganisms in the sample will generally decrease. Because of this, it will be more difficult to make a correct diagnosis in the laboratory.
• Proper sampling. If possible, the analysis of feces is taken not from the toilet, but from a blank landscape sheet. It is recommended to take a sample from the middle portion, as this is where the greatest number of bacteria is.
• Repeat analyses. A single analysis does not always give an objective result. Sometimes, for a more accurate diagnosis, feces are taken for analysis 2 to 3 times with an interval of several days.

In the vast majority of cases, it is the microbiological analysis of feces that makes it possible to make a final diagnosis with dysbacteriosis. It also roughly determines the stage of the disease and its severity. The resulting colonies of pathogens can be tested for sensitivity to various antibiotics ( with an antibiogram). Based on the results of this analysis, the doctor will prescribe the correct treatment.

Where to get tested for dysbacteriosis?

Treatment of dysbacteriosis

In a narrower sense, the treatment of dysbacteriosis is aimed at restoring the normal intestinal microflora. Also, in severe cases, supportive and symptomatic treatment may be necessary, which will improve the general condition of the patient.

The vast majority of patients with intestinal dysbiosis do not see a doctor in the early stages of the disease. In the absence of concomitant diseases and the normal functioning of the immune system, recovery occurs on its own, without taking any medications, and sometimes without dieting. In more severe cases, treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis ( the patient visits the doctor almost daily, but does not go to the hospital). If there are any complications or serious comorbidities are identified, the patient can be admitted to the gastroenterology department. The leading specialist will be, respectively, a gastroenterologist.

Also, the following specialists may be involved in the treatment of patients with intestinal dysbacteriosis:

• surgeon- with serious complications associated with inflammatory processes;
• family doctor/therapist– deals with the treatment of mild forms of dysbacteriosis, observes the patient for a long time;
• gynecologist- with dysbacteriosis during pregnancy;
• pediatrician/neonatologist- with dysbacteriosis in children;
• immunologist– rarely, for consultation and identification of possible causes;
• microbiologist- the main specialist who is engaged in diagnostics ( identification, classification, recommendation of antibacterial treatment) dysbacteriosis.

Drugs for dysbacteriosis

In general, the following groups of drugs can be used in the treatment of intestinal dysbacteriosis:

• Eubiotics. This group of drugs contains representatives of the normal intestinal microflora and substances that promote their growth. In other words, the restoration of normal intestinal microflora is stimulated. The choice of a specific remedy is made by the attending physician. Eubiotics linex, lactobacterin, hilak-forte, etc. are very common.
• Antibacterial drugs. Antibiotics could be the main cause of dysbacteriosis, but they are often necessary for its treatment. They are prescribed for the isolation of an abnormal dominant microorganism ( for example, with staphylococcal intestinal dysbacteriosis). Of course, in this case, antibiotics are prescribed only after an antibiogram, which shows which drug is best suited for the treatment of a particular microorganism.
• Antifungal agents. They are prescribed when an increased amount of yeast fungi is found in the intestinal contents.
• Multivitamin complexes. With dysbacteriosis, the absorption of vitamins is often disturbed, hypovitaminosis and beriberi develop. This aggravates the patient's condition. Vitamins are prescribed to make up for the deficiency, as well as to maintain the immune system, which is also important in the fight against dysbacteriosis. Vitamin complexes of various manufacturers can be used ( pikovit, duovit, vitrum, etc.). In case of severe malabsorption in the intestine, vitamins are administered intramuscularly in the form of injections.
• Antidiarrheals. These funds are prescribed to combat diarrhea - the most unpleasant symptom of dysbacteriosis. In fact, there is no cure. The drugs worsen the contractions of the intestinal muscles, improve the absorption of water. As a result, the patient goes to the toilet less often, but there is no direct effect on the intestinal microflora. Antidiarrheal drugs are a temporary solution to the problem and should not be taken for a long time. The most common are lopedium, loperamide and a number of other drugs.
• Bacteriophages. Currently, this group of drugs is rarely used. in the intestines ( often in the form of a suppository) introduce special microorganisms ( viral), which infect certain bacteria. Bacteriophages are specific and affect only a certain group of microorganisms. There are, respectively, staphylococcal bacteriophages, coliproteic bacteriophages, etc.

Diet for intestinal dysbacteriosis

Since the normal intestinal microflora is represented mainly by bacteria that decompose sugars, it will be beneficial to consume lactic acid products ( contain milk sugar - lactose). It is also important to consume enough vegetable fibers, which stimulate bowel contractions and normalize the mode of its emptying.

With unexpressed dysbacteriosis, the following products must be included in the diet:

• kefir;
• yogurt;
• cheeses;
• curdled milk;
• cottage cheese.

It is also important to exclude the following foods from the diet:

• carbonated drinks ( including beer and kvass);
• fried meat, tough meat, meat with blood;
• fruits that cause bloating apricots, plums, etc.);
• legumes ( may increase gas buildup and discomfort);
• cream cakes and other confectionery in large quantities;
• alcoholic drinks and coffee;
• canned and pickled foods;
• spicy and salty seasonings.

In general, there are features of the diet for various types of dysbacteriosis. It depends on the type of stool disorder ( constipation or diarrhea predominates), as well as the frequency and intensity of abdominal pain. In each individual case, the attending physician can adjust the diet at his discretion.

Folk remedies for intestinal dysbacteriosis

Folk remedies to combat the symptoms of dysbacteriosis

Prevention of dysbacteriosis

In general, the following preventive measures can be distinguished to prevent intestinal dysbiosis:

• dieting;
• limited consumption of kvass and beer;
• eating fresh, quality products;
• timely treatment of chronic diseases;
• timely access to a doctor at the first signs of intestinal pathology;
• breastfeeding;
• rational and reasonable prescription of antibiotics;
• strict adherence to the prescribed antibacterial treatment by the patient.

Is it possible to drink alcohol with dysbacteriosis?

Strong alcoholic beverages in large quantities can in various conditions lead to diarrhea, dehydration, a weakened immune system, impaired motor skills ( cuts) intestines. All this does not directly affect the intestinal microflora, but creates the prerequisites for the reproduction of some pathogenic bacteria. Some varieties of wines, beer and other alcoholic beverages directly related to the fermentation process have a direct effect on the microflora. For example, brewer's yeast is a separate type of fungal microorganisms. Excess consumption of these drinks ( especially with pre-existing dysbacteriosis) stimulates the processes of fermentation and putrefaction in the intestines. As a result, all the symptoms of the disease will increase, and the risk of various complications will increase. That is why abstinence from alcoholic beverages is an indispensable component of the diet for patients with intestinal dysbacteriosis.

Dysbacteriosis is a violation of the beneficial intestinal microflora, in which the number of beneficial lactobacteria and bifidobacteria decreases, and the number of harmful microorganisms increases. This disease occurs quite often in adults, but with greater frequency in newborns.

Also, as a result of a sociological survey, it was revealed that intestinal dysbacteriosis, the symptoms of which may be different, was diagnosed at least once in 90% of the adult population of Russia. Some doctors believe that this disease can be both independent and concomitant, for example, accompany a duodenal ulcer or chronic gastritis.

In this article, we will tell you everything about intestinal dysbacteriosis in adults: consider its causes, first symptoms, as well as modern methods of treating dysbacteriosis with the help of drugs.

The reasons

What it is? There are many causes of intestinal dysbacteriosis in adults. In some, it appears due to some pathologies in the intestines (congenital or acquired), while in others, dysbacteriosis is caused by complications after a previous illness. In such situations, the number of bacteria living in the body increases. The overall balance is changing, and microorganisms find all the conditions for survival and further prosperity.

Nevertheless, dysbacteriosis most often develops after antibiotics. When taking drugs, damage to the intestinal epithelium and a change in the composition of the microflora occur. The consequence of uncontrolled consumption of antibiotics can be the emergence of strains of bacteria that are resistant to treatment.

Symptoms of intestinal dysbiosis in adults

The clinical picture depends on the severity of pathological processes in the intestine. The main symptoms of intestinal dysbiosis in adults include:

• an unpleasant feeling of fullness in the intestines;
• constant feeling of nausea and headache;
• altered composition of the consistency of feces, which becomes semi-liquid with.

All these symptoms can also be accompanied by fever, this is not always the case, but, nevertheless, it occurs quite often. With dysbacteriosis, digestion suffers the most. Since the food in the intestines is first broken down by bacteria, and only then absorbed into the blood. Without the help of microorganisms, the body simply cannot absorb many nutrients; it perceives them as foreign and rejects them. Therefore, nausea, vomiting, loose stools appear.

With intestinal dysbacteriosis, four stages of violations of the bacterial composition of the intestine can be distinguished:

1. A slight increase in the concentration of pathogenic flora and a decrease in the number of obligate bacteria. Symptoms are usually absent.
2. Critical decrease in the concentration of beneficial microflora, the rapid growth of pathogenic flora. This stage often presents with symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, and flatulence.
3. Active reproduction of pathogens, inflammation of the intestinal mucosa.
4. General depletion of the body, beriberi, obligate microflora is almost completely replaced by pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic fungi/bacteria.

Also, the following forms of dysbacteriosis can be distinguished downstream:

1. Latent (compensated)- a latent course that does not lead to changes in the human condition.
2. Subcompensated- the appearance of the first signs of disruption of the intestines due to local inflammatory phenomena.
3. Decompensated- a drop in the body's resistance, covering the pathological processes of the large and small intestines.

The division into stages is very arbitrary, the disease is judged by its actual manifestations. The most characteristic symptoms of dysbacteriosis today are metabolic disorders, thermal supply of the body, low energy supply of the colon epithelium, reduced synthesis of vitamins B12, pantothenic acid, as well as a decrease in antiviral, antitumor protection and local immunity.

Diagnostics

To figure out how to treat intestinal dysbacteriosis, it is necessary not only to diagnose the symptom, but also to determine the cause of its development in adults. Therefore, after collecting anamnesis and finding out the possible causes of dysfunction of the intestinal microflora, the gastroenterologist prescribes a complete examination of the gastrointestinal tract, and in the case of a chronic course of dysbacteriosis, the immune system.

From laboratory diagnostic methods are used:

• bacteriological culture of feces, culture for dysbacteriosis;
• microscopic examination of feces;
• coprogram;
• examination of scrapings from the intestinal wall.

Determination of the ratio of microorganisms is carried out by sowing feces on a special nutrient medium that is favorable for the reproduction of bacteria. A few days later, the microflora is examined in detail under a microscope, after which the number of bacteria in one gram of the material is counted.

Unlike bacteriological research, biochemical analysis for dysbacteriosis is performed more quickly and simplified. The method is based on the detection of a spectrum of fatty acids that are the product of vital activity of microorganisms. A biochemical study allows you to determine not only the imbalance of the intestinal microflora, but also the specific section of the gastrointestinal tract, where the violations manifested themselves, as well as the stage of the disease.

Treatment of intestinal dysbiosis in adults

The treatment regimen largely depends on the cause of the development of intestinal dysbacteriosis. However, therapy in adults should always be comprehensive and include all specific activities:

• fight against excessive bacterial contamination of the small intestine;
• improvement of intestinal absorption and digestion processes;
• stimulation of the general reactivity of the body (increased immunity);
• restoration of normal intestinal motility;
• elimination of the imbalance of microorganisms in the colon.

It is also recommended to adhere to a strict diet that excludes foods that increase gas formation and contain coarse fiber. At least 4 times a week, and preferably daily, you should eat fermented milk products. Preference should be given to those that are additionally enriched with beneficial lactic acid bacteria.

Drug therapy

Drug treatment of dysbacteriosis in adults is aimed at eliminating its symptoms, restoring normal intestinal microflora and correcting the immune status. Drugs for the treatment of dysbacteriosis in each case should be prescribed by a doctor.

Symptomatic therapy includes taking antispasmodics (papaverine, drotaverine), antidiarrheal and laxatives (loperamide, lactulose, forlax). According to the indications, it is possible to take choleretic (legalon, choleretic fees) and enzyme (pancreatin, festal, mezim) preparations.

When using complex therapy to suppress pathogenic microflora, the following groups of drugs are used:

1. Antibacterial drugs. With intestinal dysbacteriosis, they are prescribed exclusively for an established form of the disease. At the same time, it is very important to take into account the spectrum of sensitivity of the microorganism to antibiotics.
2. Preparations from the group of bacteriophages are viruses that can enter the bacterial cell and gradually dissolve it.
3. Preparations from the group of intestinal antiseptics. Fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin), nitrofurans (furazolidone, nifuroxazide) can be used.
4. containing live bacteria.
5. Prebiotics - substances that stimulate the development of normal microflora and inhibit the reproduction of pathogenic (lactulose, galactose);
6. Herbal antiseptics are active against staphylococci. An alcohol solution of Chlorophyllipt is used, which is previously diluted in water.
7. Immunomodulators- to raise local and general immunity and accelerate the process of restoring normal intestinal microflora (dibazole, echinacea tincture).
8. Multivitamin complexes to compensate for the deficiency of vitamins A, D, E (decamevit, multitabs).

Of course, the main therapeutic measures for intestinal dysbacteriosis should be directed to the underlying disease, which caused changes in the microbial landscape. Otherwise, all efforts will be ineffective, and short-term improvement will be replaced by the resumption of symptoms.

Probiotics

Probiotics are preparations for the effective treatment of intestinal dysbacteriosis, they contain microorganisms that have a positive effect on the intestinal microflora. In order for the microorganism to pass through the upper parts of the digestive tract with minimal losses, it is placed in an acid-sensitive capsule.

All probiotics can be divided into several groups:

1. Monocomponent. They consist of one type of bacteria - bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, colibacteria - Bifidumbacterin, Lactobacterin, Colibacterin.
2. Polycomponent. They contain several types of bacteria, colibacteria, bifidumbacteria, lactobacilli - these are Linex, Bifiform, Bifikol.
3. Combined. They contain symbiotic communities of the main bacteria and strains that are immune to most antibiotics in combination with a nutrient medium and immunoglobulin complexes. Linex, Rioflora immuno, Bifikol.
4. Synbiotics. These drugs are produced with a competent combination of pre- and probiotics, forming ready-made complex drugs, for example, Bifidobak, Maltodofilus, Laminolact.
5. Antagonists. Probiotics can conditionally include antagonists, these are microorganisms that can also suppress the development of opportunistic flora, they include such antidiarrheal drugs as Enterol, Bactisporin, Bactisubtil.

It should be understood that in severe forms of dysbacteriosis, the use of probiotics and prebiotics alone is not enough, additional use of antibacterial agents, intestinal antiseptics is also necessary.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that promote health by stimulating the activity or growth of certain groups of bacteria that live in the colon. Prebiotics are processed by digestive enzymes and are not absorbed in the upper digestive tract. Prebiotics not only improve the metabolic activity of the natural microflora, but also inhibit the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria, the body does not reject them.

Effective prebiotics include:

• Indigestible disaccharides- these are Lactulose (Normaze, Dufalac, Goodluck, Prelax, Lactusan), Lactitol (Exportal), gastrointestinal transit prebiotic (it contains fructooligosaccharides, extracts of artichoke, lemon and green tea), lactic acids - Hilak forte.

Also, prebiotics are found in dairy products, corn flakes, cereals, bread, onions, field chicory, garlic, beans, peas, artichokes, asparagus, bananas and many other products. Their properties are most pronounced in fructose-oligosaccharides (FOS), inulin, galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), lactulose, lactitol.

Antibacterial drugs

Broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed in cases where an excess of pathogenic microflora in the intestine has caused malabsorption and led to digestive disorders, as well as in the development of infectious inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

In the most severe cases, preference is given to antibiotics from the tetracycline series, penicillins, cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. In milder situations, a specialist may prescribe antimicrobial agents that have a bactericidal effect in the intestinal lumen (Furazolidone).

The standard course of such therapy does not exceed 7-10 days. After completing the intake of antibiotics or antimicrobials, adults are recommended to take sorbents (Enterosgel, Polyphepan) to cleanse the intestines from dead bacteria and their metabolic products.

In the treatment of dysbacteriosis caused by taking antibiotics, the main principle is the prevention of dysbacteriosis - the rational use of antibiotics: in no case should you drink them unreasonably.

Diet

At home, there are several effective ways to treat intestinal dysbiosis in adults with the help of diets. Food should be balanced, with the maximum amount of essential trace elements. More healthy and nutritious foods, less "forbidden" foods, convenience foods, confectionery and fast food products.

From the menu will have to be excluded:

• alcohol;
• smoking;
• pickled and canned foods;
• fatty meats;
• fried food;
• fatty and concentrated broths and soups based on them;
• sand dough products;
• potato;
• pasta;
• refined sugar;
• mushrooms.

In addition, it is necessary to eliminate drinks and foods, gas-promoting:

• white cereals (from semolina, rice);
• muffin;
• White bread;
• whole milk;
• sweets;
• grape;
• turnip;
• bananas;
• sweet apples;
• gas-containing drinks (including mineral waters, sparkling wines), etc.

With the help of a well-chosen diet, intestinal motility is normalized. And, of course, we must remember that the therapeutic diet will require many restrictions, and be prepared for the fact that there are much more “no” than “possible” in it.

Prevention

Preventive measures, as a rule, are aimed at eliminating the causes of dysbacteriosis. Therefore, they are:

• rational antibiotic therapy (many doctors advise taking prebiotics along with antibiotics);
• healthy eating;
• normalization of the rest regime, psycho-emotional stress and work;
• timely detection and treatment of digestive ailments;
• epidemiological measures in infectious foci.

Also remember that the treatment of dysbacteriosis is effective and does not drag on for many months, you need to start it when the first symptoms occur. Don't ignore the warning signs: if you're having troublesome gastrointestinal symptoms and changing your diet to a healthier diet isn't helping much, it's best to visit a gastroenterologist.

The state of dysbacteriosis in a particular area of ​​the body is familiar to almost everyone. However, not every person is well aware of what dysbacteriosis is. Under this concept, modern medicine most often understands not a specific disease, but a consequence of some third-party factor, including a disease, as a result of which the balance of microorganisms in the intestine is disturbed.

Description

A certain set of groups of bacteria is present throughout the human body. By the way, these are not always harmful bacteria. At the same time, for each specific place, whether it be the oral cavity, intestines, throat or vagina, this set of microorganisms is different. Moreover, for each person, these combinations are often individual. Doctors call this optimal set of bacteria eubiosis, less often intestinal biocenosis, and a violation of its composition, quantity or properties - dysbacteriosis. We will understand a specific form of dysbacteriosis - a violation of the composition of the intestinal microflora, leading to a decrease in the number of beneficial bacteria that live on the intestinal walls.

Dysbacteriosis is a condition or disease (the discussion about the appropriateness of the latter term in this case has not been closed so far), which manifests itself with a fairly standard list of symptoms, depending on the complexity of the course. At the same time, the causes of this pathology of the gastrointestinal tract can radically differ from each other in various cases. Unfortunately, people are far from always well aware of intestinal dysbacteriosis, symptoms, and treatment of this disease in adults.

Causes of dysbacteriosis

A banal change in diet, a change in the chemical composition of water consumed, climate change, stress, diet can lead to changes in the number of pathogenic microbes and manifestations of an imbalance in the intestinal flora. More serious conditions can also lead to this: food poisoning, indigestion due to dietary errors, the use of antibiotics or diseases of the intestinal tract. And the main thing in all this is that in order to get rid of the clinical symptoms of a violation of the microflora in the intestine, first of all, you need to get rid of the prerequisites for the occurrence of such a condition.

Dysbacteriosis, symptoms

Signs of intestinal dysbacteriosis are quite diverse and largely depend on the stage at which the development of the disease is. Dysbacteriosis of the large intestine is divided into four stages according to the complexity of microflora changes. Symptoms in adults for each stage have their own characteristics. Consider them for clarity in the form of a table:

Classification of dysbacteriosis according to the content of microorganisms in feces

In addition, there is another classification of the complexity of the disease, based not on the symptoms of the development of dysbacteriosis, but on the indications of laboratory studies of feces in violation of the microflora. For adults, it is divided into two groups. For clarity, we present it also in the form of a table:

Visual analysis of feces in violation of the intestinal microflora

Also, with dysbacteriosis, serious attention is paid to the nature of the pathology of the intestinal tract, which is quite simply determined by the type and color of feces, as well as by the state of the stool.

Stools with a yellowish tint indicate a large amount of undigested fiber in the feces and excess starch. Treatment of this condition must be carried out by changing the diet. Protein food (boiled meat, eggs, cottage cheese) is recommended, which should be replaced with raw vegetables, carbohydrates and milk.

Very dark stools with a strong stench show the presence of an alkaline reaction in the intestines, as well as undigested fibrous food. In this case, meat and fats should be excluded from the diet, replacing calorie intake with boiled vegetables and sour-milk products.

Intestinal dysbacteriosis, which is accompanied by diarrhea, must be eliminated by a diet based on "soft" food. Dishes in the diet should not be either hot or cold; food, if possible, should be boiled and mashed.

Sometimes a violation of the intestinal flora is manifested by constipation. With a similar variant of bowel disease, treatment involves the inclusion in the diet of foods with a lot of fiber: apples, cabbage, carrots, apricots. Such a diet should lead to an increase in the content of beneficial flora in the intestines.

Treatment of intestinal dysbiosis in adults

If there are signs clearly indicating a violation of the balance of microflora, it is recommended to consult a doctor. Only a qualified specialist knows everything about intestinal dysbacteriosis, symptoms, treatment of this disease in adults.

Treatment of dysbacteriosis in adults primarily involves the elimination of the causes of its occurrence. This means that it is unreasonable to treat one dysbacteriosis, it is necessary to treat the disease that led to it. If the cause of the condition was the intake of antibacterial drugs, it is necessary to complete the course of antibiotic therapy, and if the diet is wrong, return to the original state of your diet. But in most cases, treatment is also required to relieve the symptoms characteristic of violations of the composition of the microflora, and to restore it. For these purposes, modern medicine recommends three types of treatment:

• diet,
• probiotic therapy,
• prebiotic therapy.

Diet for dysbacteriosis

Treatment of imbalances in the intestinal microflora, especially in the initial stages, primarily involves a special diet. In most cases, it is able to completely eliminate the problem. Above, we have already considered options for changing the diet to normalize the stool, but now we will consider a number of other nutritional rules for this condition.

The diet should be as balanced as possible. It should contain sufficient amounts of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, as well as liquid. Doctors recommend drinking a glass of warm water half an hour before meals. In addition, the diet should include five meals, albeit with smaller portions, as well as reducing intestinal stress.

It is important that the following substances are present in the products used:

• bifido- and lactobacilli, which are saturated with fermented milk products and natural butter;
• pectins and dietary fiber contained in sufficient quantities in cabbage, carrots, beets and seaweed;
• amino acids glutamine and arginine, the sources of which are chicken, beef, dairy products, fish, parsley, spinach, nuts, pumpkin seeds, wheat flour, peas.

Analyzing the above list of products, we can conclude that a diet for a disease is not a list of restrictions at all, but a tasty, healthy and balanced diet. The main thing is not to overeat, not to abuse “heavy” foods, and also to avoid eating fried, spicy and other, not the most healthy dishes during this period.

Treatment of intestinal dysbacteriosis in adults, prebiotics and probiotics

For the treatment of dysbacteriosis, prebiotic and probiotic preparations are used, which, according to assurances, do an excellent job of restoring the disturbed microflora of the intestinal tract and relieve the symptoms inherent in dysbacteriosis. Despite the similarity of names, at their core, prebiotics and probiotics are radically different drugs, and it is worth understanding what they are in more detail.

Prebiotics are substances that, when they enter the intestines, have a positive effect on the growth and activity of the beneficial microflora present there. Prebiotics are not absorbed by the organs of the gastrointestinal tract and, in very simple terms, they are food for our beneficial microflora.

Among the pharmaceutical forms of prebiotics, Lactulose, Laktitol, Hilak Forte are most often prescribed. These are only the main names of drugs, since there are dozens of their commercial names.

In addition, there are natural products that are prebiotics. Among them are dairy products, onions and garlic, cereals.

Now about probiotics. These drugs are a set of microorganisms necessary for the human body, which, when they enter the intestine in sufficient quantities, have a positive effect on the state of the microflora. However, their use is a rather controversial issue.

The fact is that the direct introduction of microorganisms in the form of probiotics has many conventions. Some microorganisms are needed in such quantities that it is difficult to obtain them from the outside, while others are simply unrealistic to introduce in a living form. And there is not so much laboratory evidence of a real benefit from the use of probiotics.

Of the probiotics, the positive effect of which has been confirmed by studies and which are effective for symptoms of moderate dysbacteriosis, in pharmacies you can find lactobacilli and bifidobacteria (Linex, Bifiform, Bifidumbacterin, Lactobacterin), Saccharomycetes Boulardii, enterococci.

Treatment of severe dysbacteriosis

How to treat dysbacteriosis in severe forms? This requires more complex pharmaceutical preparations, which are divided into three conditional groups.

The first of these is antibacterial agents. They act on a certain type of conditionally pathogenic flora, stopping its growth and spread. Antibacterial drugs (intestinal antiseptics) are prescribed depending on the microorganism that caused the violation of the microflora.

It is also possible to treat dysbacteriosis with the help of bacteriophages. The principle of their action is similar to the principle of action of antibiotics. Bacteriophages are special viruses that suppress certain types of microorganisms. Like antibacterial drugs, bacteriophages are divided into groups according to the type of bacteria: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococcus, and so on.

And finally, you need to consider pharmaceutical drugs that are additionally prescribed and that eliminate the symptoms of the disease and its possible consequences.

Immunomodulators are means for improving the protective properties of the body, the use of which, in case of violation of the intestinal microflora, has a positive effect on the process of its recovery. The use of immunomodulators should take place exclusively as directed by a doctor, and preference should be given to plant-based products: tinctures of echinacea and magnolia vine, Propolis, Dibazol.

Antihistamines. They are used to avoid the occurrence of allergic reactions that can develop against the background of the disease. The simplest of them are Cetrin, Zirtek and Claritin, which are prescribed in most cases.

Antispasmodics are drugs, the use of which is often necessary for dysbacteriosis in the event that diarrhea is observed. The most popular antispasmodic is drotaverine (No-Shpa), and Loperamide is recommended specifically for diarrhea. If constipation is observed, then special candles, liquid paraffin, Forlax are used to eliminate them.

Prevention of dysbacteriosis

Bacteria are quite tenacious creatures, and it is not so easy to bring the body to such a state that beneficial microorganisms will not settle in it (in the absence of any other diseases). To avoid the disease, you just need to follow a healthy lifestyle and adhere to a correct, balanced diet, do not abuse the "cleansing" of the body and the gastrointestinal tract. Also, do not get carried away with antibacterial drugs. This type of treatment should only be carried out if antibiotics are prescribed by a doctor.

Dysbacteriosis in modern medicine

We have already noted at the beginning that dysbacteriosis as a separate disease is classified only on the territory of the former Soviet Union. Western medicine designates it solely as a condition provoked by certain prerequisites.

Discussions about the correctness of this or that designation for ordinary people are unlikely to make sense, but nevertheless we will designate a number of interesting facts.

In the International Classification of Diseases (an official document of the World Health Organization), the diagnosis of "dysbacteriosis" does not exist. The most similar diagnosis to it is SIBO (excessive bacterial growth syndrome). It is set when more than 105 microorganisms are detected in a milliliter of aspirate taken from the small intestine.

Western medicine is quite skeptical about the analysis of feces to study the composition of the microflora. According to doctors, such a study does not allow drawing any conclusions, since the concept of “normal flora” is very vague and purely individual for each person.

On the territory of the former USSR, however, such a concept as intestinal dysbacteriosis is very popular. Symptoms, treatment of this disease - all this is a popular topic for discussion, both among specialists and among patients. However, do not forget that this term is very actively distributed by drug manufacturers. Whether this is justified, or whether only commercial benefits are hidden under this promotion, it is difficult to judge.

Many doctors are very skeptical about the treatment of microflora disorders with the help of probiotics and bacteriophages. In their opinion, microorganisms obtained from outside have practically no chance to take root in the intestines, and bacteriophages are digested in the stomach and do not bring any benefit attributed to them.

So the only true conclusion about dysbacteriosis is the most controversial disease in modern medicine. But the symptoms, like the causes, are quite specific. There is no doubt that it is necessary to deal with its treatment, and modern methods of therapy make it possible to do this with high efficiency.

The human intestine is the largest section of the digestive tract, located in the abdominal cavity, having a length of about 4 meters (provided that it is in a tonic state) and is responsible for the digestion of food and its excretion. A healthy intestine is necessary not only for the proper functioning of the digestive organs, but also for ensuring the most important processes, since nutrients and nutrients are absorbed by the mucous membranes lining the intestinal walls, and from there they enter the systemic circulation. The intestines are also of great importance for the functioning of the immune system, since the protective functions of the body are directly related to the intestinal microflora and its composition.

The mucous membranes of the intestines in all people are populated with useful lacto- (sour-milk) and bifidobacteria, which suppress the growth of pathogenic flora. They allow you to fight various bacterial infections, remove toxins that accumulate in large quantities in the intestinal sections, and ensure normal digestion. Opportunistic microorganisms are also present in the normal microflora, but their number is so small that they do not affect the health and general well-being of a person. Under certain conditions, conditional pathogens can begin to actively multiply, while their number significantly exceeds the volume of useful bacterial mass. This condition is called dysbiosis.

Experts believe that the main cause of dysbacteriosis in the adult population is too frequent and inappropriate use of antibiotics. Many patients, not wanting to waste time visiting a doctor, when symptoms of intestinal infections, diseases of the respiratory system and other pathologies that require the use of potent drugs appear, begin to be treated on their own using broad-spectrum drugs. This approach is not only unreasonable, but also dangerous, since many antimicrobial agents have serious side effects and can cause the development of chronic diseases of the digestive, nervous systems, and also the heart muscle.

Antibiotics without a doctor's prescription should not be taken for another reason: for their use there must be strict indications, supported by the results of a bacteriological study of biological material (blood, urine, sputum, mucous membranes). Some types of pathogenic bacteria, such as gonococci, are difficult to treat using standard antibiotics, and self-treatment can not only adversely affect the condition of the intestine, but also lead to the transition of acute forms to a chronic course.

To avoid dysbacteriosis caused by taking antimicrobial agents, certain rules must be observed, for example:

• do not use antibacterial drugs for longer than the prescribed period (usually 5-10 days);
• do not take antibiotics without a doctor's prescription;
• do not exceed the prescribed dosage;
• from the first day of treatment, take drugs containing lactic or bifidobacteria.

Chronic dysbacteriosis can develop as a complication in some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: gastritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis. Human nutrition plays an important role in the formation of microflora. The daily menu should have enough dairy products, vegetables, fruits. If the patient is forced to take hormonal drugs for a long time (for example, oral contraceptives in women) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often prescribed for the treatment of arthrosis, it is also recommended to consult a doctor about the need to use bifido drugs.

Who is at risk?

The risk group for the development of dysbacteriosis includes people who neglect the norms of intimate and personal hygiene, suffer from allergies or have chronic diseases of the stomach, liver or intestines. In patients with depressive disorders and other pathologies of the nervous system, the risk of violations of the quantitative and qualitative composition of the microflora is also quite high, as in persons with chronic alcohol dependence. Smoking, frequent stress, malignant tumors and diseases requiring chemotherapy and radiation exposure are almost always accompanied by chronic dysbacteriosis, therefore, for this category of people, diet and lifestyle correction is especially important.

Symptoms: signs, features

The clinical picture of dysbacteriosis in adults is very blurred, so it is rarely possible to recognize the existing disorders at the initial stage. The most typical signs are dyspeptic symptoms and digestive disorders, as they appear from the organs that are part of the same system as the intestines. These can be stool disorders in the form of constipation or systematic diarrhea. The feces themselves can slightly change color (usually they become a little lighter), but there should not be a strong smell, so the putrid smell from feces should not be considered as a result of intestinal dysbacteriosis, but as a sign of infectious inflammation of the mucous membranes.

After eating, a person may experience heaviness, bloating. Other signs of this symptomatic group include the following symptoms:

• nausea after eating (rarely - causeless vomiting);
• belching immediately after eating;
• heartburn and discomfort in the stomach, which are not always associated with food intake;
• pain and cramps in the epigastric and abdominal space.

With dysbacteriosis, a large amount of gases accumulate in the intestines, so the patient may also suffer from flatulence, intestinal spasms and colic.

Important! Such symptoms are the reason for the appointment of a coprogram - a comprehensive study of fecal masses, which allows to evaluate the work of the digestive organs, the level of enzymes, to identify signs of inflammatory processes or helminthic invasion.

Headaches and instability of well-being

The level of intoxication of the body during dysbacteriosis always exceeds the permissible norm, so the general well-being of the patient may periodically worsen without signs of infectious or other diseases. A person can suffer from headaches, especially in the morning and 3-4 hours before bedtime. With a chronic imbalance of the intestinal microflora, drowsiness, fatigue appear, and efficiency decreases. Behavioral changes usually do not occur, but malaise affects the mood of a person: he becomes lethargic, he loses interest in people, often there is a desire to retire.

Video - What is dysbacteriosis?

Skin problems

Skin problems are not so much a sign of dysbacteriosis as its consequence. Poor bowel function leads to the accumulation of toxic substances and their entry into the bloodstream. Even mild intoxication always negatively affects the appearance of a person and can be manifested by the following symptoms:

• acne, acne on the skin of the back, face and chest;
• furunculosis (purulent disease of the connective tissue or hair follicles with signs of necrotic lesions);
• diaper rash in the armpits and inguinal zone (in women, a similar symptom can be localized under the mammary glands, and in people who are overweight, in the crease under the abdomen);
• bags and dark circles under the eyes;
• increased pigmentation of individual skin areas.

Important! Chronic dysbacteriosis can become a provoking factor for increased activity of HPV (human papillomavirus), so the rapid growth of papillomas and condylomas ("genital warts") can also be assessed as a possible sign of a violation of the intestinal microflora.

Changes in the functioning of the immune system

The immune system - the most complex and still not fully understood system of the human body - also weakens if there are any problems in the work of the intestines. The most common pathology associated with the functioning of the immune system are allergic reactions. Any product or substance can act as an allergen, even if the patient has not previously suffered from intolerance to it. Many allergists now include the normalization of the intestinal microflora in a mandatory allergy treatment plan, since with an insufficient number of beneficial bacteria, the body perceives some aggressive substances as pathogens and begins to reject them, which provokes an allergic reaction.

An indirect symptom of disturbances in the composition of the intestinal microflora are frequent diseases (mainly of infectious origin). These can be respiratory infections caused by viruses, inflammatory lesions of the pharynx and tonsils (tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis), intestinal infections. In people with chronic dysbacteriosis, the risk of infection with helminths increases, so helminthic invasions also require prophylactic treatment with bifido drugs.

Treatment in adults: drugs

The main task of treating dysbacteriosis in adults is to eliminate the provoking factor and the main cause of the pathology, as well as to colonize the intestines with beneficial microorganisms that can suppress the activity of pathogenic flora. For this, preparations are used that contain probiotics, lactobacilli or prebiotic cultures. A brief overview of the drugs in this group is given below.

"Acipol"

Capsules "Acipol" are a unique drug for the treatment of dysbacteriosis and complex therapy of diarrheal syndrome, enteritis, rotavirus infection and salmonellosis. In addition to the main active ingredient (acidophilic lactic acid bacteria), the remedy also contains kefir fungus, which strengthens the immune system and helps normalize digestive processes.

You can take the drug, starting from the age of three months. For infants, the required amount of medicine must be mixed with boiled water or milk formula. The dosage for adults is 1 capsule 3-4 times a day. Capsules should be swallowed whole half an hour before meals.

The course of treatment is 5-8 days (for prophylactic purposes, the duration of therapy can be increased up to 15 days).

"Normobact"

Bifidopreparation in powder form. It is used for complex treatment of intestinal infections and normalization of intestinal microflora. It is easy to use - you need to take the powder 1 time per day, mixing it with a small amount of water. Duration of admission - 10 days.

"Lineks"

This is one of the most popular drugs in this group. It is available in two dosage forms: powder and drops for oral administration. The dosage for adult patients is 1-2 sachets 2 times a day. The powder must be mixed with any liquid that does not contain wine alcohol and drunk immediately after preparation with meals.

The duration of admission is individual and can range from 7 to 21 days.

The cost of drugs for the treatment of dysbacteriosis

Important! In some cases, it may be necessary to take sorbents to remove toxins from the intestines and blood, digestive enzymes, drugs to treat diarrhea and constipation. The means of these groups should be selected and prescribed by a doctor, since in some cases there may be individual contraindications.

Video - How to treat intestinal dysbacteriosis with folk remedies

The role of nutrition in the treatment and prevention of dysbacteriosis

Products that are included in the human diet have a direct impact on the intestinal microflora and the state of the immune system. The most useful product for people with a tendency to intestinal diseases is kefir. It contains many beneficial bacteria, helps to improve the stool and enrich the body with beneficial fungi that control the acidity of the gastric and intestinal environment. It is better to choose a drink with a fat content of 1-2.5%. Ryazhenka, bifidok, natural yoghurts, cottage cheese, as well as fruits, berries, greens and vegetables are also useful - they contain valuable vegetable fiber and help to avoid constipation and stagnation of toxic products inside the intestines.

The patient also needs to stop smoking and drinking alcohol, improve the emotional background and increase physical activity - sufficient mobility improves motor skills and stimulates the evacuation of food and toxins from the intestines, creating optimal conditions for the growth of beneficial microflora.